Peanuts
p. 21 · Read in the full issue
From Our Own Correspondent
Pt. Moresby, Feb. 26.
LAST year a correspondent in Papua put forth the suggestion that peanuts would be an industry well worth estab lishing in the country if given a free entry into Australia from Papua, and that with the proceeds from the industry the hard pressed planters might find some measure of relief.
He stated that the climatic conditions of Papua were eminently suited to the successful cultivation of large crops, which would be quickly absorbed by the mer chants in Sydney.
It is therefore gratifying to read of a 1934 alteration in the Commonwealth Cus toms Tariff (Papua and New Guinea pre ference) whereby peanuts exported from Papua and New Guinea are now admit ted into Australia free of Customs duty— though unfortunately they will be subject to primage at the rate of 10 per cent, ad valorem.
Total exports from the Territory for the same period were valued at £130,521, being gold £25,487; rubber, £32,100; copra, £23,814; des. coconut, £25,733; trochus shell, £7,652; coffee, £3,527.
The total revenue of the Territory for the half year ending December 31 showed a decline of £4,657 compared with the corresponding period of the last financial year. Expenditure for the half year was down £5,877. The credit balance on re venue account, as at December 31, was £279.